Wise up and bow to the inevitable

The clock is ticking on the final countdown to the smoking ban, but as

Graham Ridout discovers, far too few pubs are prepared for the change

Time is running out. Welsh licensees have got just over nine weeks to prepare for the smoking ban, while English licensees have 22. Many pubs, particularly if run by sole traders or small independents, are totally unprepared.

Tony Reynolds, director of Shrewsbury-based canopy and awning supplier Shading by Design, says: "There are about 44,000 pubs in England, but we're getting nowhere near the number of enquiries we expected.

We've looked at about 300 proposals since the start of November, but people are leaving it late. Some are speculating that the ban won't happen, the requirements will be modified, or they will be allowed a smoking room."

Too many dragging their feet

Reynolds says his firm is busy erecting shelters north of the border, despite the Scottish ban being in force for the past 10 months. He thinks the same reluctance to accept the inevitable applies in Wales and England.

"The bans start in spring and summer, and people think they have four or five months before they need to do anything," he says.

Shading by Design offers a full turnkey package, which includes design, gaining planning approval and installation; the company knows that even non-contentious proposals can stall during the planning process.

Reynolds says: "We allow 12 weeks to get planning approval, but it can take longer."

Although planning departments have a statutory duty to answer within eight weeks, many don't, says Reynolds. Gaining approval can take longer if the building is listed or in a conservation area, so Reynolds advises licensees to allow at least 12 weeks from submitting the planning application to completing installation. If this proves the norm, the ban in Wales will be in force before the shelters are erected, even for licensees who start the process now.

The company's two most popular products are the 4m x 4m and 4m x 5m umbrellas with integral heating and lighting, which cost about £3,000 to £4,000, including installation.

The advent of the ban has seen firms entering the market to cash in on demand for shelters, but Reynolds warns: "Don't get wrapped up in the headline price. Look at what the firm has to offer and the level of service it can provide.

"Licensees should treat preparation as

offensive action that will let them develop business. In Scotland, licensees who have acted are seeing investment repaid, with new customers using the pub throughout the year."

Bin there, done that

Lee Rooney, proprietor of bins-direct.com, a company that supplies wall-mounted and free-standing cigarette bins, says: "The larger chains are gearing up, but it's quiet in the independent sector. Licensees must realise that the ban doesn't necessarily herald commercial death. Show people your good facilities and they'll come to your pub."

Although cigarette bins might be low on a list of priorities, Rooney urges licensees to consider three things before buying - what type of pub they run, where bins will be sited, and the anticipated number of smokers.

He says: "You don't want anything too bulky if people are walking past on the pavement, so slimline wall bins are best. Stainless steel bins are the most popular, but we also supply galvanised steel powder-coated bins in a colour to match the premises and look less intrusive."

Rooney says the best bin location is near the entrance or exit doors, or either side of the doorway if a lot of smokers use the pub.

"Some pubs have tried to encourage smokers away from the doorway by siting bins elsewhere. Generally, this doesn't work because smokers will congregate where they want to."

Although most bins are deemed a necessary evil, Rooney says products can be supplied with an A4 display panel protected by a clear polycarbonate sheet. "You can promote the pub by inserting a menu or giving details of events or promotions," he adds.

Deck the pub

Decking is a popular external option, but timber decking has some drawbacks, especially in a commercial setting. The timber needs regular treatment to prolong its life. Even ribbed decking can be slippery when wet and low-quality timber can warp, split or distort to create a trip hazard - just the sort of things loved by accident and injury lawyers.

Twinson offers an alternative. This com-posite of pine and PVC made by Belgian company Deceuninck looks like traditional decking and is installed in a similar way. The planks are 6m long with high-slip resistance and don't need painting or any other form of treatment. There is a choice of eight colours, most of them replicating a type of timber.

Advice from the experts

Tony Reynolds says that licensees should contact their local planning department as soon as possible to ascertain what form of canopy, awning or shelter is acceptable. "The sooner you start the dialogue, the better," says Reynolds.

He says licensees should check whether the pub's electrical supply is adequate if lighting and heaters are required. He adds: "We had a case where it cost the licensee more than £1,000 to upgrade the electrical supply because it wasn't up to standard."

Lee Rooney says that licensees shouldn't be tempted to buy on the cheap.

"There are some very cheap products available that are OK for an office with three or four smokers. But for a pub, you need to make sure you have a bin that is durable and robust."